“I am,” she replied, although there was no trace of laughter in her voice now. “Let us pray that somehow we will be able to find the gentleman responsible, and that both yourself and Lord Pottinger will be able to look to your future with all happiness.”
Tara smiled back at her sister.
“I am certain that we will be able to find such happiness, even without success this evening,” she responded softly. “But yes, let us go.”
* * *
“Good evening, Miss Shaw.”
Tara started and turned swiftly, only to look up into the smiling face of Lord Pottinger. He was not wearing a mask; it dangled from his fingers.
“Goodness, however did you recognize me?” she exclaimed, seeing him smile. “I think my sister’s costume is more interesting than my own, but even my own mask surely hides a good deal of my features!”
“I think I could recognize you anywhere.”
The smile in his eyes and the gentleness of his voice made a heat of awareness rush through her. These last few weeks, they had spent so much time together that she considered every moment a blessing. Her feelings had grown substantially, and there was very little else she wanted to do, other than be by his side.
“And yet you have prevented me from being able to say the same, by refusing to wear your mask,” she teased. “Although I am very glad to see you.” A slight nervousness caught the edge of her voice, and she dropped her eyes. “Do you think that he may be here again this evening?”
“Yes, I believe that he may well be. It is the perfect opportunity for him to secure yet another victim. You are correct, however - I should put on my mask so that my identity is alittlehidden. Should he recognize me, that may prove itself a little disastrous. Perhaps he may be warned that we are seeking him.”
Relieved that they had stopped to speak in a quieter part of the ballroom, Tara nodded, waiting for him to settle his mask in place, although it only covered his eyes. Her stomach swirled with a sudden nervousness as she glanced about her, glad that her mask hid enough of her face that her expression would be hidden from those around her. No doubt she would have flushed cheeks and anxious eyes which darted from one side of the room to the other.
“I recall you saying, some time ago, that you thought to use your presence within society to your advantage in this situation,” she murmured softly, keeping her voice low. “Have you managed to do that?”
Lord Pottinger had not been specific in his ideas, and she hadn’t pressed him on it either. But when he nodded, a small, satisfied smile spread across his lips and the nervousness in Tara’s stomach immediately began to dissipate.
“Yes, I have done so.” He offered her his arm and she took it immediately, with Mary only a short distance behind. “You will not have heard of it, since you are so inclined to keep to the back of society, but I have spoken to one or two ladies and expressed my concern over a man who is known amongst the gentlemen of theton,for behaving in a most indiscreet manner with some young ladies. I have made them aware that I have every intention of preventing this gentleman from continuing to behave in this manner and have begged them for their aid.”
A little confused, Tara looked back at him, frowning.
“But does that not mean that they might then spread this news to the gentleman we seek?”
“There is a chance that they might do so, certainly. However, I did my very best to make it plain that I required their discretion. Indeed, with everyone I spoke to, I made it sound as though they were the only ones I had asked. I encouraged their sense of self-importance. I stated that I would trust them to speak of this matter only with those that they trusted, but to no other, reminding them that should anything happen to make this gentleman aware of my determination, their own daughters could be in danger.”
“I see.” A little astonished at all that Lord Pottinger had thought of, Tara blinked slowly, keeping her eyes forward as she fought to make sense of what he had said. “Then you trust them. You trust that they will keep their word, as they have said.”
“I am afraid I have no other choice but to trust them. It is the only ploy I have, but any to whom I have spoken will be so very glad that I have singled them out, that they will doexactlyas I ask. Some others will be genuinely concerned for their daughters and will therefore do as asked too. I cannot speak for everyone, of course. I cannot know their actions, but we must pray that all will go to our advantage.”
Tara nodded, suddenly aware of just how many young ladies in thetonwould be rather jealous of her close acquaintance with Lord Pottinger when it eventually became known. Thus far, they had kept their close connection hidden from society as a whole, with only the occasional dance and the occasional brief conversation when in amongst society - but there had been many an afternoon call shared with pleasant conversation. This had been done simply to make certain that the gentleman who had orchestrated all of this, whoever he was, would not become suspicious. No doubt he was still watching everything closely, to make sure he was not himself discovered.
“What do you intend to do when you discover him?” Tara asked softly. “We have discussed many a hope of finding the gentleman responsible, but you have never said what it is that you intend to do thereafter.”
A tight laugh came from Lord Pottinger. It was dark and a little strained, and when she glanced at him, he was shaking his head.
“That is because I am not certain. Lord Stoneleigh has given me one or two suggestions, but whether or not I will find myself eager to use any of them is yet to be seen. I am uncertain as to how I will feel when I lay eyes on the fellow and, thus, I do not feel that I can predict my actions - although I can assure you that I will do nothing to either injure him or to bring danger towards myself.”
Tara nodded slowly, not quite certain what to say to this. It was not that she was afraid for Lord Pottinger, but rather that she was uncertain as to how the evening itself would play out. If there was nothing that could be done, then how was he ever to regain what was his? Surely the man responsible could simply laugh or deny that he had ever been the one to do such a thing? That would mean nothing but difficulty for Lord Pottinger from then on.
“Good evening, Lord Pottinger.”
An older lady sidled towards him, sending a glance towards Tara that she could not quite understand. It was as if she were assessing her, wondering whether or not she was suitable for Lord Pottinger’s company. She was not wearing a mask but had recognized Lord Pottinger regardless.
“Lady Hatton.” Lord Pottinger inclined his head. “Good evening. You may speak freely. I have only just been informing this young lady of what I also spoke of with you. After all, she does have a younger sister.”
In an instant Lady Hatton’s expression changed, and she nodded fervently, coming all the closer before lowering her voice to a loud whisper.
“There is a gentleman here who is as you have described. I saw him arrive and have been watching him closely.”
